International news briefs: 16 February
International news briefs: 16 February
Salvation Army teams in Moldova distributed warm clothes and shoes to vulnerable families experiencing a range of difficulties.
Winter wonders in Eastern Europe
Salvationists from Georgia, Eastern Europe, gave children and their families who have fled Ukraine the opportunity for a winter vacation camp.
As Eastern Europe shivers in the icy temperatures of winter, Salvationists from the Moldova Division of the Eastern Europe Territory provided local children with warm clothes and shoes.
“This help was available to children from vulnerable families who are suffering and experiencing difficulties,” the division explained. “We are thankful to our donors who made this happen, as we believe every child should be safe and happy.”
Winter is cold, even in the southern Republic of Georgia, where Salvation Army teams from the Georgia Division continue their ministry to the children from Ukraine. “A winter vacation at the famous, picturesque resort of Bakuriani for Ukrainian children helps prevent psychological exhaustion for both children and parents who are going through difficult times, having lost their homes and relatives. The Georgia Division Salvationists’ dedication to Children’s Ministry is inspiring, as all children deserve the best.”
PNG team prepares for Gold Coast Marathon
A team of young people from the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory are again preparing to run the annual Gold Coast Marathon this year as part of The Salvation Army Hope and a Future program.
The team (Team Feiva) are “hard at their weekly trainings”, said mentor and former program participant Greg Vali.
The team and supporters prepare for their training at Ela Beach, Port Moresby.
Their current goal is to run 12-15km three times a week. Captains John and Rose Raga from the territory’s Youth and Children’s department have also joined the team.
The program is modelled on four key pillars – faith, fitness, education and leadership. It aims to give young nationals identified as future leaders in their countries the opportunity to be mentored to help develop them into those future leaders in their corps, family, community and workplaces.
The young people train for and run the marathon with mentors from Australia along with PNG nationals who are former participants in the Hope and a Future program.
The program has been life-changing for all participants, with many reaching educational goals that would not have been possible otherwise and all growing spiritually in their leadership potential and ability to engage in the community and local church.
Families, corps and local communities are benefitting as a result as well.
Salvos commended for response to human trafficking
The Salvation Army received a commendation at the ‘Data to Disrupt’ Awards.
The Salvation Army is pleased to receive a commendation for ‘Collaborative Disruption’ as part of Stop The Traffik’s Data to Disrupt Trafficking Awards 2022. This event celebrated collaborations, organisations and projects that are using data and technology in original ways to share information and change the environment in which trafficking and exploitation thrive.
The Salvation Army International Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Response Team has also become one of six stakeholders whose input was included in a report to the UN General Assembly. This report focused on the Trafficking of Persons in the Context of Climate Change. Special Rapporteur, Siobhan Mullaly, delivered the report.
Chief of the staff visits the Netherlands
The Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham, and World Secretary for Spiritual Life Development Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham visited The Netherlands in January to welcome and install the new territorial commander of The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Slovakia Territory, Commissioner Bente Gundersen.
The group visited areas in Amsterdam’s red-light district where the late Lieut-Colonel Alida Bosshardt (image at rear) worked for many decades. (From left) Colonel Stuart Evans, Commissioners Lyndon and Bronwyn Buckingham, Commissioner Bente Gundersen, and Colonel Donna Evans.
The visit began on the Saturday morning at the corps in Almere with a meeting for active and retired officers. Commissioner Bente Gundersen was installed as the new territorial commander for the territory at a service in the afternoon.
On Sunday morning, the Chief, Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, Commissioner Gundersen and Australian Salvationists appointed to the territory, Colonels Donna and Stuart Evans, visited the corps in Harderwijk. Donna has been appointed as Chief Secretary, and Stuart as Secretary for Spiritual Life Development, and Assistant Chief Secretary, with responsibility for the Czech Republic and Slovakia.)
After the service in Harderwijk, the commissioners visited several Salvation Army locations in Amsterdam, including the ‘Majoor Bosshardthuis’. The Chief expressed his admiration for the work of Lieut-Colonel Alida Bosshardt in the city’s red-light district and her life of service to God.
The trip continued with a visit to the Meeting Point, a walk-in support centre for sex workers in the red-light district.
On the final day of their visit, the Chief and Commissioner Buckingham visited the territorial headquarters in Almere, meeting staff, external board members and the territorial council.
Comments
No comments yet - be the first.